What is Nigerian politics without a little bit of theatrics and drama?

Just a few months ago, social media was in an uproar when the video of Kemebradikumo Pondei fainting circulated the internet. The acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was under interrogation by the house of representatives committee over the alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion under his tenure. Pondei was testifying when all of a sudden his eyes started to bulge and somehow he had collapsed and was earnestly being resuscitated. The internet truly thanks Pondei, till date, for the hilarious memes derived from that incident.

Similarly, in May 2018, the former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisah Metuh, gave one of the best fainting performances in Nigeria’s political history. He had collapsed at a federal high court hearing; after his arraignment on the grounds of money laundering charges.

Now, true to political form, the former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, has taken up the fainting challenge. Maina was accosted on charges of money laundering to the tune of N2 billion. After jumping bail and trying to escape the hand of the law, Maina was caught in Niger Republic and dragged back to Nigeria.

During his court trial on Thursday, the ex-pension chairman had spectacularly slumped, forcing the judge to suspend the hearing. It seems as though the fainting act is the popular antics being employed by politicians nowadays.

Is the roll call of politicians slumping even complete if we don’t mention our able Dino Melaye? If awards were being given out, he’d definitely be given the grand prize, without a doubt.

It was in January 2019 that Melaye displayed his penchant for drama. He had been accused of culpable homicide and had finally surrendered to the police after a week-long siege at his Abuja residence. While he was leaving his residence to enter the police vehicle, Melaye’s body went limp as he slumped. It does seem as though the fainting act is the popular antic being employed by politicians to evade the glaring eyes of justice, nowadays.

Nigeria’s political scene is full of such outrageous and unbelievable scenes daily that if it weren’t real, you wouldn’t believe it was true.

Toluwanimi Onakoya

Toluwanimi Onakoya is a spirited writer, creative and videographer. Her biggest drive is to connect with people and depict tales using various forms of media.

Toluwanimi is available on Instagram and Twitter @nimi_onaks